Thank you, Bubs and Tex.
I shall never forgive my buddy for continuing the descent once they realized that the abbreviated FMS entry turned the AP the wrong way, and I have been amazed that anyone survived the "skip hit" on that mountain ( unlike the recent Suhkoi tragedy). Nick's final words are worth reading, and makes me cry. I lost other friends that had no clue about the rising terrain or the deficiency in the Viper auto pilot/FBW laws , 'nuff said on this.....
@ JCJ: "luck" is when preparation meets opportunity.
For many of us, it's "there but for the grace of God were I".